1 post tagged “natsu matsuri”

Every once in a while I am introduced to a song out of the realm of Hello! Project that really catches my attention.  A few months ago Henkka posted an Uta Doki Pop Classics episode where Yaguchi Mari covered the Juicy Fruits' Jenny Wa Gokigen Naname.  I love that tune!.  And Mari is so cute doing it.  But what I really fell in love with was Perfume's version of the same song, which was the c/w track of their Sweet Donuts single.  It is a lot of fun, and the lyrics are great.

Last week Berryz Kobo International did a post about a recent Berikyuu episode where members of Berryz Koubou and C-ute did a cover of Natsu Matsuri.  The song was originally done by Jitterin' Jinn and more recently covered by a really cool J-rock group called Whiteberry.  I really love this song too, especially Whiteberry's version.  And the original is pretty good as well.

Whiteberry

CJ, formerly of Stuck in a Pagoda (check out his great new blog here) commented on IW that Niigaki Risa recently covered that song on Uta Doki too.  That prompted me to search You Tube for more versions, as Japanese pop classics tend to be redone by multiple artists.  I had seen some of the Uta Doki episodes of that week with GakiKame, but somehow this performance slid under my radar...

Now I really like Gaki's version as well.  Risa looks adorable with that haircut!  And the ending is great with Kamei joining in on the fun!  I had commented once before that Gakisan has what it takes to be a popular solo artist.  And this performance doesn't change that opinion at all.  But the "best" thing that came out of my search was the discovery that the relatively new J-pop group Idoling!!! also did a cover of Natsu Matsuri.  I've never heard the girls in Idoling!!! sing before.  Let's see how they do, shall we...

Uggh!!!  Doesn't Idoling!!! have any girls that can sing?  That was a disaster!  Japan's version of The Monkees has got to do better than this if they think they are going to make a dent in the music industry.  In fact, the members of The Monkees all had musical talent.  The girls of Idoling!!! are cute, but what else do they have to offer?  It should also be noted that Idoling!!! also covered Pucchi Moni's BABY! Koi ni KNOCK OUT!  And that was slightly...slightly better.  To borrow one of my favorite pics form Morning Berryz blog...

Simon

I can only imagine what our good friend Simon would have to say.  I would really like to become a fan of Idoling!!!  But what I have seen so far just hasn't impressed me.  Perhaps they sound better on some of their original material.  So I won't write them off just yet.  In any case, Natsu Matsuri is an amazing song.  And thank you to Pengie (this might be a record for references to other bloggers) for turning me on to Whiteberry!

CK in California